Google Launches Audio Streaming System Google Cast

We are aware of Chromecast which is used to stream videos. Now, a new audio streaming service, Google Cast that enables users to transmit their favorite music from their mobile device to their speakers with the help of Chromecast. It is compatible with Android and Chromebook as well as iOS, Macs and Windows. On has to tap the cast button in his or her favorite music or radio app and selects a Google Cast Ready speaker to stream to.

Google Cast product manager Tomer Shekel said in a blog post, “Google Cast Ready speakers pull content directly from the cloud, so you’ll get the best audio quality and can freely multi-task on your phone, tablet, or laptop, all without straining the battery. These speakers will work with a growing list of apps including Deezer, Google Play Music, iHeartRadio, NPR One, Pandora, Rdio, TuneIn, and many more.”

It is very easy to search and browse, play, skip, and turn up the volume directly from the apps. You can even ask friends to join in and use the apps on their phones to cast to the speakers.

Google Cast Ready speakers will be available for purchase this spring in the U.S. only. Sony, LG and HEOS by Denon will be the first brands to produce the speakers with more to come later in 2015. Find the below video to understand how it works.

Roku Challenges Google's Chromecast With New Streaming Stick

Roku is now taking on Google’s Chromecast with a new modified Streaming Stick that works with all TVs and the communication is established via Wi-Fi.

You have already seen that Google Chromecast plugs directly into the television’s HDMI port and work accordingly. Likewise the Streaming Stick “packs the complete Roku streaming experience,” says  Jim Funk, senior vice-president of product management.

Image Credit : Google

He also added that “That means access to 1,200+ channels of movies, TV episodes, music, news, sports, kids’ shows and free programming streamed in up to 1080p HD video, plus a TV user interface featuring the beloved Roku Search. Roku is all about the easiest way to enjoy the best selection of streaming entertainment on TV. That’s why in addition to the included WiFi remote control for the entire household’s use, there are the free Roku apps for Android and iOS devices for those who desire a mobile experience to browse and select content to stream.”

Additionally users can also stream Netflix, YouTube and personal media from their devices to their TVs. Some new mobile features such as the ability to cast content from a computer to the TV are on the development space.

The new dongle by Roku, will offer a wider range of content than Chromecast has. But the only negative factor here is that it is more expensive. Chromecast retails for $35 and Roku $50. Here a $15 less price tag matters.

As of now, users can pre-order in the U.S. from Amazon.com, BestBuy.com, Target.com, Wal-Mart.comand Roku.com and will ship to customers and arrive in retails stores in April 2014.

Some news regarding the price tags are on the air like Canadians can get the new Roku Streaming Stick for $60 while U.K. and Republic of Ireland users will have at £50.

Android Data Can Be Mirrored To Chromecast

Chromecast can get 'mirrored data' from your Android device apps. In play store you will find some other apps that allow partial linking. But Koushik Dutta, creator of AllCast, posted to a video on YouTube that demonstrated his free, though not-yet-available app that links his Android phone to his television. This app is the first so far we have seen that links everything on an Android to a television via Chromecast. He in his video post on YouTube, demonstrated his free, though not-yet-available app that links his Android phone to his television. In this one-minute video shows him playing a game and checking his Facebook feed on his phone while, simultaneously, his actions are mirrored on his large television perfectly.

Dutta posted on his Google + page as “Fills the TV screen. Looks decent.” AllCast which is created by Dutta was the initial app that linked Android and Chromecast but its original form was limited in its mirroring facilities. 

Google released Chromecast on the market 7 months back but, since then, it has not been used much and couldn't receive much reviews regarding the product. Still some developers like Koushik Dutta, are creating some apps for future use.

He posted that “Did some poking around to see how far along Google is with their Chromecast mirroring solution. There’s plenty of evidence that there’s some (possibly half baked) solution in the Play Services APK and it is not totally disabled. This is why people are seeing their “Cast” quick setting tile sometimes light up.”

He also mentioned some of the unavailable features like inability to play a raw h264 of vp8 stream as well as a slow process in sending frame by frames. But as a whole in the run he is going ahead.

You can watch the following video on YouTube to know how it works.